A former British diplomat in Russia has said “nothing much” surprises him about the country.

John Cummins spoke at Buckingham Palace after being awarded a CMG at an investiture ceremony on Thursday.

He told the Press Association: “In a way nothing much surprises me about Russia, but I watch it now as an observer from outside, and really my main thoughts are for the people who are trying to deal with and manage the problem because I know how difficult it is.”

Mr Cummins’s comments come as Moscow warned it will expel British diplomats “soon” after the Prime Minister announced the biggest expulsion of Russian embassy staff since the Cold War.